Senate GOP Revises Trump’s $9B Spending Cuts \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Senate Republicans made changes to President Trump’s $9.4 billion rescission request, removing cuts to PEPFAR to gain broader support. The bill still seeks to slash funds for public broadcasting and foreign aid. Democrats strongly oppose the plan, calling it fiscally misleading and politically divisive.
Quick Looks
- Senate GOP revised Trump’s $9.4B rescission package to preserve PEPFAR
- $400 million in HIV/AIDS funding spared; total cuts reduced to $9B
- White House campaigns to win Senate support, hosting key strategy talks
- Republicans aim to rein in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds
- Sen. Rounds backs bill after deal to fund tribal radio
- Sen. Collins questions how cuts still total $9B after revisions
- Democrats accuse GOP of undermining bipartisan appropriations process
- House narrowly approved the bill 214–212 on party lines
- Senate vote could trigger hours of debate and amendments
- Trump threatens GOP senators who oppose defunding public broadcasting
Deep Look
In a bid to salvage momentum for President Donald Trump’s proposed $9.4 billion in federal spending cuts, Senate Republicans introduced a revised version of the rescission package on Tuesday—just days before the deadline to get it to the president’s desk. A key change in the updated version was the removal of cuts to PEPFAR, the widely praised HIV/AIDS program that has saved millions of lives globally since its inception under President George W. Bush. This move preserves roughly $400 million in funding and reduces the overall savings in the package to about $9 billion.
The change is a calculated effort to win over skeptical senators and shore up votes before a crucial procedural hurdle in the Senate. The spending cut proposal, led by Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, seeks to reclaim previously approved funds—especially from foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) defended the package as a necessary step toward reining in federal spending. “This is something we all believe is a priority,” he said, underscoring the urgency to act before Friday’s deadline.
White House Lobbying for Support
During their weekly conference luncheon, Senate Republicans met with Russ Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, to air concerns and negotiate. According to Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Vought took over 20 questions, and many senators expressed willingness to support the bill with certain conditions or amendments.
The administration’s efforts to win over GOP holdouts seem to be making progress. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) publicly endorsed the package after collaborating with the White House to redirect “Green New Deal money” to fund tribal radio stations, addressing a major concern among lawmakers from rural areas.
Public Media Funding Sparks Division
A major flashpoint in the rescission package remains the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The organization funds over 1,500 local radio and TV stations, many in underserved communities. While the revised bill still seeks to eliminate this funding, some Republican senators worry about the long-term impact. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called the amended bill “progress,” but raised doubts about its vague accounting. She questioned how the total rescission amount remained $9 billion even as certain programs were protected.
Democrats, meanwhile, are unanimously opposed to the package. They argue that the cuts contradict Republicans’ earlier budget priorities—especially after passing Trump’s 2017 tax reform, which contributed heavily to projected $3.4 trillion deficits over the next decade.
“It shreds the appropriations process,” said Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), a key swing vote who caucuses with Democrats. “The Appropriations Committee, and indeed this body becomes a rubber stamp for whatever the administration wants.”
Democrats Decry Fiscal Hypocrisy
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), a senior member of the Budget Committee, accused Republicans of hypocrisy. “Now that they’ve saddled the next generation with loads of debt to help billionaire donors, many Republicans want to return to talking now about ‘getting the nation’s fiscal house in order.’ Are you kidding me?”
Democrats also argue that this rescission package sets a dangerous precedent. They warn that if Republicans continue to pass bipartisan spending bills and later unilaterally strip out provisions they dislike, bipartisan cooperation could collapse altogether.
Senate Vote Looms, Trump Applies Pressure
If the Senate agrees to take up the bill, it will launch a legislative marathon known as a vote-a-rama, with 10 hours of debate and potential votes on dozens of amendments. The House narrowly passed the original version 214–212 along mostly party lines. However, if the Senate makes changes, the bill must return to the House for another vote.
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged the Senate to pass the bill as is, emphasizing the urgency. “We’re encouraging our Senate partners over there to get the job done and to pass it as it is,” Johnson said.
Adding pressure, Trump took to his social media platform to warn GOP senators not to oppose defunding public broadcasting. He singled out the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, vowing to withhold endorsements from any Republican who supports continued funding.
“Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or Endorsement,” Trump posted.
With only a few days remaining before the spending cuts expire, Senate Republicans must now weigh party loyalty, constituent interests, and the political risks of crossing the former president.
Senate GOP Revises Senate GOP Revises
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